FEATURE: A Much-Awaited Return for Cody Van Lierop

Cody Van Lierop has come out firing in the 2021-22 season, with two goals and three assists through the first eight games of the season. It is a season that he has been working towards for over two years.

The veteran defender missed the entirety of the 2019-20 season with a torn ACL, damaged meniscus, and sprained MCL after the team had returned from their preseason tour in Germany.

"I did the trifecta," said Van Lierop. "We were playing basketball and I jumped up for a ball and came down with all my weight on the one leg and I just felt all my tendons roll over in my knee. 

"I was confident and ready for the season and then it was just kind of just swept right out under me," he continued "It was hard at the start because you instantly look far [into the future]. You're like damn, what's this mean?"

By the end of the week, Van Lierop was in surgery and on the path to recovery. At first, his recovery was quick. By Christmas, Van Lierop was walking without the support of a leg cast or crutches and beginning the process of physiotherapy.

Everything slowed down after Christmas with progression hard to see. This would last until March when he was able to get back out on the ice for the first time.

"All the guys stopped practice and started just banging their sticks. I cried, it meant a lot to me," Van Lierop said. "It was definitely a moment that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and I appreciate the guys for that."

Outside of his teammates, the Gee-Gees physiotherapy staff was an invaluable resource for Van Lierop. Sarah Gillanders, Crissy McPhee, and Shannon Walsh Moreau provided him with both the physical and mental support that he needed to recover from his injury.

"There was always a person to talk to for me because I saw them just as much as I was seeing my teammates at that time and it was a big support for me and I don't think I could ever show how much I actually do appreciate that," he said.

While Van Lierop was on the sidelines, the Gee-Gees were having their best season in more than 15 years, finishing runners-up in the Queen's Cup, and getting the team's first Nationals birth since 2003-04.

"Seeing the guys go through playoffs, give it every ounce of effort, watching that was hard," he said. "Going into the room after seeing how hard those guys fought. All I could do was go and give them a hug and tell them I appreciate you."

Van Lierop joined the team in Halifax, but the COVID-19 pandemic saw the event cancelled. With the 2020-21 season not getting underway he would have to wait a whole year before hitting the ice again. While others struggled to grapple with a year without hockey, the pandemic gave Van Lierop the time needed to get comfortable on the ice again. 

"The pandemic was beneficial in that it allowed me to have a whole year to skate and to try to get back to where I was before the injury," he said.

"Having that year off before was beneficial for the fact that I mentally was strong enough and knew I could get through the pandemic where a lot of other guys, they played the year before and the pandemic was basically their injury season." 

Throughout the pandemic, Van Lierop turned to walking with his family's dog, Chloe, to escape the monotony of the pandemic and continue to rehab his leg. 

"Every day we went for a walk, so we grew an attachment that way. And it helped me because I was still in my recovery process.  It helped me keep my leg moving," he said. "I was using what I had as a resource and it just so happened to be my dog." 

Entering his third year of eligibility, Van Lierop was itching to get the season underway – his first in more than two years.

"I don't think I've ever skated faster in my life," said Van Lierop, remembering coming down the tunnel for the home opener of the 2021-22 season. "Once I got out there and on the red line, and I was thinking, wow."

Van Lierop scored his first goal of the season against Concordia in a 4-2 win. It was his first since Jan. 11, 2019. He would add a second in that game which would go down as the winner. More than just points though, Van Lierop is a leader on this team.

One of five returning players, he has ensured that the new crop of players have been welcomed and feel comfortable in the jersey.

"I'm a vocal leader and that's something that I take pride in. I want to leave an impact. There is a saying on our locker room doors that says, 'leave the jersey in a better place' and I take that to heart."